US3772941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gear selection mechanisms for vehicles
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1972-02-10
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A gear selection mechanism for a vehicle, including a link member arranged at one end to be coupled to the gear selection lever and arranged at its other end to be coupled to the gear box. The link member normally transmits the movement of the lever to the gear box to operate the gear box, and the link member is provided with first and second parts which are capable of movement relative to one another. The mechanism further includes a locking member selectively operable by the driver of the vehicle to either lock the two parts of the link member relative to one another so that the link member acts as a solid component, and transmits the movement of the operating lever to the gear box, or alternatively releases the two parts of the link member so that they can move relative to one another in which situation the link member does not transmit the movement of the lever to the gear box.
Inventors
- 👤 L Nevett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/002; B60R25/003; B60R25/007; F; F02; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/20085; Y10T74/20104; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636; Y10T74/20648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A gear selection mechanism for a vehicle, the mechanism including a link member, means at one end of the link member whereby the link member can be coupled, in use, to a gear selector lever of a vehicle, further means at the opposite end of the link member whereby the link member can be coupled, in use, to the gear box of the vehicle in such a manner that the link member will transmit movements of the gear selector lever to the gear box to operate the gear box, the link member comprising first and second parts capable of movement relative to one another and the mechanism further including a locking unit selectively operable either to interconnect the first and second parts so that the link member is capable of transmitting said movement, or to release the first and second parts for relative movement so that the link member cannot transmit the movement of the gear selector lever to the gear box, the locking unit being manually operable, and including a key-operated arrangement whereby the unit can only be operated by a predetermined key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A gear selection mechanism for a vehicle, the mechanism including a link member, means at one end of the link member whereby the link member can be coupled, in use, to a gear selector lever of a vehicle, further means at the opposite end of the link member whereby the link member can be coupled, in use, to the gear box of the vehicle in such a manner that the link member will transmit movements of the gear selector lever to the gear box to operate the gear box, the link member comprising first and second parts capable of movement relative to one another and the mechanism further including a locking unit selectively operable either to interconnect the first and second parts so that the link member is capable of transmitting said movement, or to release the first and second parts for relative movement so that the link member cannot transmit the movement of the gear selector lever to the gear box, the locking unit being manually operable, and including a key-operated arrangement whereby the unit can only be operated by a predetermined key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking unit is manually operable from within the driving compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the key operated arrangement includes an electrical switch which is also operable only by said key and which controls starting of an engine of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said switch is an ignition control switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking unit includes a locking member, preferably a ball, which is urged by a rotatable cam to a position wherein it extends through an aperture in a sleeve integral with said first part of the link member, into engagement with the wall of a recess in a portion of the second part of the link member which is slidably received in said sleeve, to lock the first part to the second part, the cam having a recessed region which when aligned with said locking member permits the locking member to become disengaged from the recess in the second part so that the first and second parts are released for relative movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2798468A
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US2925076A
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US3540313A
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US3534637A
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US3587351A
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US3613482A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |